We will use this backdrop for a photo shoot we have tomorrow - so look for those pictures to see the painting in action!

Our best friend, Brandi Hershey, just moved home from Arizona. Brandi has always been like a sister to me and Jess. I've been friends with Brandi since first grade. She lived with me and Jess in college, and I lived with her for a bit after college. She has the comfort level of family with us (I like to imagine that one day she will marry Seth and actually be family.. not likely, but hilarious to think about).

Brandi might be the funniest person that I know. She has about as much of a filter as Cadence. If you meet Brandi, you are getting the real deal alllllll of the time. She is unlike anyone I have ever met. Brandi is so smart, and so talented.. this leads her to believe that she can do anything. Brandi has every reason to be confident in most areas.. but she is confident in EVERY area. Can Brandi change the oil in her car? If she hasn't done it before, she will say yes anyway. Can Brandi fix a furnace? She will figure it out. This can be handy.. as well as dangerous. She's awesome.

Brandi came over for New Year's Eve, and we enjoyed an evening consisting of sweats, watching Shark Tank, and eating meatballs that her mom, Janet (thank you!!!), sent over. That is a perfect NYE to me. I guess we aren't as crazy or cool as we used to be. At least we were well rested for New Year's Day, which was super productive. Brandi and I spent hours at the photography studio painting backdrops. We also spent some time painting on canvases, just for fun. Below, I am going to post a picture of the whale Brandi painted. I have laughed out loud every time I've looked at or thought about that whale. Let me just tell you, Brandi is an amazingly talented painter.. this whale does NOT represent her skill level. After you see it... you will have to laugh knowing that Brandi spent about three hours on this whale (not even exaggerating.. maybe even under estimating). I was just now laughing hysterically while typing this, and TJ said, "Are you laughing at the whale?" He knew.

Oh, Brandi.. I could not be happier that you are home!!! We're going to have a whale of time together..... get it..